Photographer salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Photographers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $43,040 a year ($20.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,330 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 12% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $38,470. There are 0.26 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $47,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,040 | $11.08 |
| 25th percentile | $23,670 | $11.38 |
| Median | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| 75th percentile | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,330 | $42.95 |
| Average (mean) | $47,100 | $22.64 |
Half of photographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,586.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,793.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,655.38 |
| Weekly | $827.69 |
| Hourly | $20.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Photographer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,000 | 150 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $47,170 | 60 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $42,540 | 30 |
| Cleveland, OH | $42,090 | 290 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $41,750 | 40 |
| Columbus, OH | $41,390 | 310 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $37,040 | 230 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,900 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,810 | 1,590 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,790 | 130 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $36,580 | 60 |
| Akron, OH | $36,100 | 80 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $35,920 | 40 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,810 | 80 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,420 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for photographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| New York | $60,050 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 |
| Oregon | $53,630 |
| Utah | $52,140 |
| Delaware | $50,100 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 |
| Washington | $48,050 |
| California | $47,840 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| Film and Video Editors | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Lighting Technician | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $53,780 | $25.86 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Interior Designer | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Technical Writer | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $95,160 | $45.75 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for photographers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $43,040 a year, or $20.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $89,330 a year. The top 25% earn $56,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,040 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $23,670 or less.
How many photographers work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 290 photographers are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.